By Francis Ekeh

The Elephants of Ivory Coast last night came from behind to defeat Nigeria’s Super Eagles  2-1 in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Super Eagles were looking forward to lift the trophy for the fourth time in their history. having scored first in the first half of the match
Coach Jose Peseiro’s men took the lead in the first half through William Troost-Ekong’s header. But the Ivorians levelled up after the break through Franck Kessie’s header.
With a few minutes left in the game, Sebastien Haller flicked the ball past Stanley Nwabali. The Elephants have now levelled with Nigeria on three continental titles.
The shellshocked Ivorians  had after the  group stage parted ways with coach Jean-Louis only to rely on Interim coach Emerse Fae to take them to glory at the AFCON final
Nigeria looked set to repeat their 1-0 victory over the Ivorians  at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium during the group stage when captain William Troost-Ekong -– who had netted a penalty to decide that first meeting -– rose to head in the opener late in the first half.
However, Franck Kessie equalised just after the hour mark and Haller turned in Simon Adingra’s cross in the 81st minute to spark wild celebrations among the sea of orange in the Abidjan stands.
Ivory Coast’s success sees them add this year’s title to those claimed in 1992 and 2015, while this win also allows them to join Nigeria on three Cup of Nations triumphs since the competition started.
Only Egypt, Cameroon and Ghana have won the title more often, with the Super Eagles squandering the opportunity to match their Ghanaian rivals on four victories.

Spearheaded by reigning African player of the year Victor Osimhen, the Nigerians had looked the most formidable team in the competition over the last month.
But Ivory Coast’s sense of destiny was simply too overpowering, as they became the first host country to win the AFCON since 2006.
Didier Drogba captained the Elephants team that lost on penalties to Egypt in Cairo in the final 18 years ago, while this time he was among the spectators to witness a stunning victory for his country.
It is an incredible achievement for a side that was on the brink of elimination in the group stage after losing 4-0 to Equatorial Guinea on January 22.
That was their heaviest ever home defeat and the Ivorians then parted company with coach Jean-Louis Gasset, replacing him with Emerse Fae, a teammate of Drogba’s in 2006.
They then began a remarkable turnaround which saw them oust holders Senegal on penalties, beat Mali with a last-gasp goal in extra time, and edge out DR Congo with a Haller goal in the last four.
Their supporters packed out the stadium to its 60,000 capacity, with many fans having to watch the game from vantage points on stairways.
Anyone wanting to dampen the excitement levels might have pointed out that Cup of Nations finals tend to be low-scoring affairs.
There were just 10 goals scored in the last 11 finals, five of which were decided on penalties after a 0-0 stalemate.
Indeed, Ivory Coast’s four previous final appearances had all ended goalless before going to penalties, two of which they had won.
This looked set to be another nervy, low-scoring affair with chances few and far between early on.
However the home side then had a great chance on 34 minutes when Kessie found Adingra on the left and his shot was turned away by Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
That proved crucial as Nigeria went ahead just four minutes later when Ademola Lookman’s corner from the left was touched on and Troost-Ekong headed in from the edge of the six-yard area.
Earlier in the tournament the Ivorians would have crumbled in such a scenario, but they deserve great credit for regrouping at the interval and throwing everything at Nigeria.
Max-Alain Gradel’s netbound shot was blocked in front of the line by Calvin Bassey five minutes after the restart, before Nwabali turned an Odilon Kossounou long-range piledriver around the post on 62 minutes.
They drew level from the corner which followed that, as Kessie -– whose late penalty had rescued the hosts against Senegal in the last 16 –- appeared at the back post to head into the net.
It seemed inevitable that a second Ivory Coast goal would follow and it duly did with nine minutes of the 90 to play as Haller got his studs to Adingra’s cross and diverted the ball into the far corner.
Behind for the first time since their opening match, Nigeria could not react, and Ivory Coast held on for victory.
Before the match, the Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro had stated that winning the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, will be the highlight of his career.
Speaking to Portuguese sports daily O Jogo, Peseiro said: “This [AFCON] is very important for us. We made a sporting and not a financial bet, reaching a final like this is important in terms of investment in our career.
“They can’t tell us anything about what we have done so far. We want to win this final; it is good for everyone. Winning [the AFCON] will be a highlight of my career.”
Peseiro has coached Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Porto, Braga and Sporting CP.
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